Inshore: Christian Lett, from Tennessee, reported catching whiting on live shrimp on the outgoing tide while fishing under the Johns Pass Bridge with his father Michael. Michael Lett, his father, reported catching a cobia under the bridge while fishing the outgoing tide. The cobia hit a large live free-lined shrimp and was just over keeper size. Jericho Cooey, from Dade City, caught a large sheepshead under the bridge while free-lining a chunk of shrimp on a circle hook at slack tide. The white bait is pushing closer to shore as we see large schools of them pushing through the pass on the incoming tide. They are about one and half inches to two inches long right now and will get bigger as the summer progresses. The snook and tarpon action at night is still hot, and the dolphins are still following them taking down the stragglers.
Near shore: The red grouper bite is hot in our near shore waters. We are finding the red grouper closer and closer to shore. They are loving the strips of squid cut to imitate octopus tentacles. The cobia have been coming in fairly regularly so make sure to keep a pitch rod ready to go when bottom fishing. They cruise by looking like a shark and they will inhale live bait free-lined to them with 40-60lb fluorocarbon leader and 5ot circle hook. Once you see it, you only have a few minutes to present a bait before it will cruise on by never to return. You can also find them under floating debris or following large whale sharks that are fairly common this time of year.
Offshore: The red snapper season will not end till July 14^th on our federally permitted vessels. Gags open June first. The red snapper bite has been consistent in the 35-60 mile range in 130-200 foot of water. The main problem for us has been the currents around the recent full moon so were excited to get back out this weekend when we know the currents won’t be quite as strong. The shallower closer to shore red snapper have been picked through quite a bit so the shorts are more common, but offshore in the deeper waters were still landing beautiful red snapper and we have plenty more time left to go get them! Kingfish are still around, tuna are thinning out however, and were looking forward to a few cubera as their spawn ends and they start heading back north through the grounds.
Written by: Captain Mark and Dylan Hubbard
Captain Jack’s Dolphin Corner
We are spotting monster loggerhead sea turtles around Egmont key aboard our ferry boat. Their heads are so large they resemble buoy ball for crab traps until you see their large black eyes and green brightly colored backs. However, when we get close for photos they quickly dive to the bottom since they have learned that boats normally carry fisherman and until the late 80’s it was legal to harvest these turtles.
Egmont Key does have some sea turtles nesting on the island, and currently it has 15 active nests. Due to this, be careful where you’re walking and always pay attention to signs and caution tape on the beaches.
We have a new baby manatee inside Boca Ceiga bay! This cute little guy can be spotted with either mom or dad learning how to breathe at the surface and graze on the grass beds local to our area. We have spotted its cute little head on a few different cruises. Join us for a chance to spot this little guy on a cruise!
The two new baby dolphins to Boca Ceiga bay have been doing well and are fitting in their social groups nicely. They are learning how to hunt and socialize now and can be spotted traveling with groups of larger dolphins.
Baby birds are getting large in their nests at Dog leg key, but there are still a few around to be spotted before they all leave the rookery till the next nesting season at the island.
We have been seeing reddish egrets dancing on the flats at low tide. These birds are on the endangered list so it’s great to see them in the area again.
Large male manatees are grouping into large groups inside boca Ceiga bay, and were seeing them in groups of 5 or more!
Dolphins are actively hunting around our area, and are being spotted playing catch with their prey in order to teach their young hunting and stalking techniques while improving their use of sonar.
Large schools of tarpon are rolling around Egmont Key making a great sight while riding the ferry to the island. It’s also a great time watching the anglers land these monster fish. We offer private charter fishing trips for these guys too if you’d rather be the one fighting instead of on the beach watching.
Written by: Captain Mark and Dylan Hubbard
Upcoming up at Hubbard’s Marina
Want to try a 39 hour for red snapper? Hubbard’s Marina has two light mid-week 39 hours coming up! The first one is 6/23 and the second one is on 6/30. Hope you all can join us sometime soon for a trip before red snapper shut down! The 6/30 trip will also offer gag grouper since they open July 1st!
Red snapper won’t close till July 14th! Also, keep in mind that the first two weeks of July gag grouper and red snapper season will overlap making advanced reservations highly important. Jacks will be CLOSED June and July however, keep this in mind.
Red snapper trips will be the 12 hour day trips, 39 hour trips, and the July 3^rd full moon 44 hour! We can also get red snapper on Hub trips of 10 hours or longer with 6 or less guys on board. Do NOT expect red snapper on any other trips than the ones listed above.
The HUB is now able to run red snapper private charters! We can take 6 people or less up to 100 miles from shore allowing us to target these fish 35-60 miles from shore. If you take 7-14 people we can’t go out for red snapper but we could do red grouper, gags, snapper, sharks, goliath grouper, hogfish and trolling trips. Contact Mike Belot, the Hubbard’s Marina charter sales specialist, to set up charters (727)393-1947 ext 410.
The next 63 hour deep drop trip will be August 6th, 2015. To see the full 2015 specialty trip schedule simply visit our site, click specialty trips, and then click the 2015 specialty trip schedule button on the top right side of the page. We will be heading 150 west of Johns Pass to fish 600-1,000 foot of water. You will need to have your own electric reel set up to fish this trip. We will be targeting large snowy grouper, yellow edge grouper, gags, warsaw and more! We will also be targeting barrel fish, tilefish, unique deep water snapper and other species not normally caught on our shallower water trips. This deep water 63 hour trips also offer great trolling opportunities for sailfish, marlin, mahi, wahoo, tuna and more!
REMEMBER, Jacks close down June and July so don’t expect to take these guys home during these months. August first they re-open!
Ever wanted to try kayak fishing? Hubbard’s Marina offers kayak rentals at our beach cabana location and also at our main location inside Johns Pass. When you rent a kayak or paddleboard with us you have the option to go alone or with a guide. That guide could be a fishing guide or a sightseeing guide!
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Contact Info:
727-393-1947 or Toll Free 1-800-755-0677
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